5 questions facing the Texans in training camp

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The Houston Texans are in a unique position with the spotlight shining brightly on their training camp via HBO's "Hard Knocks."

A 9-7 record was a massive improvement from 2013, but disappointing for a team that won five of their last seven games. A rough three-game losing streak in October, in which they lost three games by a combined 15 points, sunk the Texans' ship. A stronger defense and some new blood on offense make the Texans an intriguing team heading into 2015.

Here are five questions facing the Texans heading into training camp:

Is 'Hard Knocks' a distraction for the players?

The biggest storylines in Texans' training camp will be chronicled by HBO's "Hard Knocks," but the scrutiny itself could become a major story line.

Most teams featured on the show have gone on to subpar seasons, with only the 2010 New York Jets making it to the AFC Championship.

Head coach Bill O'Brien has come out and said the show won't change the way anyone approaches their job and has spun the presence of cameras positively, saying, "It’s an opportunity for people to see that this is a team, that this is not a team of individuals."

"I will tell you, it does energize practice," former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick once said of the show. "But you do have to have a veteran team; you have to have a team that understands why you're trying to do it that can kind of put it at arm's length."

Is DeAndre Hopkins ready to become a No. 1 receiver?

For the first time since 2002, the Texans will be without Andre Johnson. The pressures and coverages reserved for the seven-time Pro Bowler will now shift to talented third-year pro DeAndre Hopkins, and how he handles them will determine the team's offensive success.

The best way for Hopkins to make the transition to No. 1 option early in the year may be establishing a rapport with quarterback Brian Hoyer in training camp. In limited action with Ryan Mallett last season, Hopkins caught nine passes for 119 yards and no touchdowns - not earth-shattering, but perhaps something to build on should Mallett win the job.

Hopkins has also been limited during OTAs by February surgery to his wrist, so a strong camp is important for him.

Will Vince Wilfork's presence make J.J. Watt even better?

How much does the big fella have left in the tank? If Vince Wilfork is able to control the inside of the line of scrimmage, freeing up J.J. Watt to win on the outside, things could get very ugly for opposing offenses. Watt, for his part, seemed giddy about the team adding Wilfork.

This front seven has the potential to be the league's best if Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing can stay healthy, and Wilfork eating up double teams will only make things easier for everyone. If the best player in the game takes his game to an even higher level, the AFC South is in big trouble.

Who wins the quarterback competition?

Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer are likely locked into a training-camp battle for the Texans' starting quarterback job. In the interest of winning with a potentially dominant defense, O'Brien and his staff are likely to pick whichever player can take care of the ball and limit crippling turnovers.

Hoyer, although more seasoned than Mallett, went on an atrocious interception streak at the end of the 2014 season, tossing eight picks in four games. In limited action last season, Mallett threw two interceptions against two touchdowns. He's still an unknown, so if Hoyer cleans up the mistakes, he's most likely the guy O'Brien will go with. Mallett will have to wow the staff in order to win the job.

Which rookies can grab starting jobs?

Benardrick McKinney is penciled in as a starting inside linebacker and Kevin Johnson may be the Texans' starting nickel, but the remaining group of rookies may find it hard to fill a starting role when camp breaks.

Third-round pick Jaelen Strong could start opposite Hopkins at receiver, but veterans Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington may have the inside track on that position. Sixth-round defensive end Christian Covington could make a push for a roster spot, but will struggle to find playing time behind Watt and Jared Crick. A rotational role isn't out of the question, though.